Greek Ship Released by Somali Pirates

Pirates in the Horn of Africa have released a Greek ship after 80 days, ending another standoff on the high seas, according to a regional maritime organization.

"The crew members' state of health is estimated as satisfactory," Reuters quoted the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program as saying.

The organization added that the freighter, the MV Capt Stephanos, was heading to Italy.

On September 21, Somali pirates seized the ship that was flying the Bahamas flag, carrying coal, and had 17 Filipinos, one Chinese, and a Ukrainian on board.

Since the start of this year, the pirates have carried out around 100 attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

They still hold about a dozen ships and about 300 crewmen, including the Iranian-chartered Delight, captured in November with 25 crewmen and 36,000 tons of wheat on board.

Iran said it would consider a military option against the pirates to free the ship's crew if diplomacy fails.

AGB/HGL
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